Democrats Unveil New Strategy: Take Unpopular Positions

In recent days, Democrats have blasted Republicans on a number of issues, staking out positions that have one thing in common: they are unpopular with voters. The DNC put out an ad attacking Republicans for talking about “radical Islamic terrorism,” which the Democrats said was “inciting fear.” Just one problem: 60% of voters say we are at war with radical Islamic terrorism.

Then there are the Syrian refugees. President Obama says it is un-American to oppose importing thousands of Syrian refugees, above and beyond current limits, and Harry Reid says he will block any effort to “pause” the importation of Syrian refugees. But 63% of voters oppose Obama’s refugee plan. Apparently a large majority of Americans are un-American.

Then there are the ridiculous protests that have riled American college and university campuses. President Obama praised the activists who shut down the University of Missouri, and other Democrats have generally been supportive of such protests. But voters hate them; for instance, residents of Missouri disapprove of the demonstrations at their university by more than three to one. More broadly, public disgust with the Black Lives Matter movement and the national anti-police campaign will hurt Democrats at the polls next year, perhaps fatally.

It’s a novel strategy, not just taking unpopular positions but doing so aggressively, stridently and contemptuously. Who knows, maybe it will work. But I doubt it.